Nominees were announced on Wednesday evening in Summer Place, Johannesburg, to much anticipation.
Donald Moatshe, Unathi Msengana, Toya Delazy and Kabomo dominated many categories.
The awards, the second largest music awards show in South Africa, will take place in Durban at the end of February.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said moving the awards from Nelspruit to Durban was a strategic decision.
Metro FM and the KwaZulu-Natal municipality have a three-year agreement for Durban to be the host city, with the possibility for the city to be a permanent home for the awards.
Donald, who is best known for his songs Denial and Deserve, received six nominations – best produced album, best dance album, best male album, best styled artist or group, best hit single and best music video.
Unathi Msengana, co-host of the breakfast show First Avenue on Metro FM and Idols judge, was nominated for best African pop album, best female album, best styled artist or group and best music video.
Toya Delazy was nominated in the best female album category, and Kabomo was nominated in the best male album category. They each received nominations for best produced album, best newcomer, best styled artist or group, and shared a nomination for best collaboration.
Nominees:
Best African pop album
Moneoa – Coming From, Going To
Berita – Conquering Spirit
Maleh – Step Child
Malik – Music in Love
Unathi – With Love
Best produced album
Toya Delazy – Due Drop
Donald – Train of Love
Lulu Dikana – This is the Life
Zonke – Ina Ethe
Kabomo – Memory Remain
Best Female Album
Zonke – Ina Ethe
Toya Delazy – Due Drop
Unathi – With Love
Moneoa – Coming From, Going To
Lulu Dikana – This is the Life
Best group album
Crazy White Boy – Zoma
Jaziel Brothers – The Journey Defined
Revolution – Evolution
The Muffinz – Have You Heard?
Amon & Thato – Recipe No. 1
Song of the Year
DJ Zinhle – My Name Is (Zinhle)
Fistaz Mixwell – Hade Mabebeza
Oskido – Tsa Mandebele
Zonke – Feelings
Lvovo Derrango – Palesa
DJ Tira – 4000
Best hit single
HHP – Bosso
AKA – Jealousy
DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota – Stokvel
Donald – Deserve
Fistaz Mixwell – Hade Mabebeza
Best hip-hop album
Pro – Continua
Shugasmakx – The Shugafactory (One Word)
Teargas – Number Number
Zakwe – Zakwe
Khuli Chana – Lost in Time
Best male album
Donald – Train of Love
Kabomo – Memory Remains
Khuli Chana – Lost in Time
Professor – The Orientation
Zakwe – Zakwe
Best newcomer
Moneoa – Coming From, Going To
Toya Delazy – Due Drop
Zakwe – Zakwe
The Muffinz – Have You Heard?
Khaya Mthethwa – For You
Best music aideo
AKA – Jealousy
MiCasa – La Vida
Unathi – Kwa Nolali
Donald – Deserve
Jullian Gomes – Love Song 28
For the full nominations list go to the Metro FM website. Voting lines open on Thursday for the public. Voters should SMS the category and name of the artist to 34764. Voting lines close February 17.